Executive Travel : Business Travel Notes

Cars by the Hour: Value Rent-A-Car is counting on attracting new customers who need cars for only a short time with an hourly rate structure announced earlier this month. Customers can choose among weekly, daily and hourly rates when reserving cars; the hourly rentals will be available for as little as 99 cents an hour with no minimum required. The new pricing option is available on all cars at all locations.

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British Airways Adds Plush Options: The international carrier is

investing $185 million to improve its top-fare cabins over the next three years by adding leg room, video channels, an open kitchen stocked with snacks and, in first class, individual cabins that can convert either to a dining room for two or a bedroom for one. Air France and Cathay Pacific have also recently announced major improvements in business and first-class service, which generally handle fewer than 20% of passengers but generate a third of income. More entertainment options for coach passengers are also planned.

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Atlanta Best for Waiting: Getting stranded in an airport is on no one’s top 10 list, but if it has to happen, Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport is the best place to do it, according to a recent survey of more than 1,100 frequent travelers. The poll was conducted by the Plus ATM Network--operator of an automated teller system--for Travel Holiday magazine and covered 28 U.S. airports. It was based on the convenience of and accessibility to time-killing facilities, ranging from eating and drinking to shopping to people watching. After Atlanta, the other airports voted near the top for a layover were, in order, San Francisco International, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver International and JFK International. The least favorite five in the poll were, from the bottom up, Lindbergh Field (San Diego), Salt Lake City International, McCarrann International (Las Vegas), Tampa International and Dulles International.

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Cathay Pacific Plans Internet Auction: For two weeks beginning Oct. 13, the airline will auction off 50 business-class seats between Los Angeles and Hong Kong. The seats will be sold to the highest bidders, who will compete with sealed bids sent over the Internet. The promotional bidding will be offered only to individuals registered as “cyber-travelers” who sign up at the Cathay Pacific Airways World Wide Web site (https://www.cathay-usa.com).